My colorimeter just died. It was old and it was time. I DON'T want to buy a high dollar system because I'm saving to purchase either an NEC or Eizo monitor that comes with its own calibration package.
Does anyone know of a DECENT package without spending a lot of money? Thanks in advance.
Bill, I use the Datacolor Spyder system and find it works just fine. As you've stated, if you're going for the NEC upgrade later maybe the Spyder will get you what you need at this point. There are numerous on eBay from the older Spyder 2 & 3 right thru the later full on 4 Pro and the Express 4.
Prices are anywhere from $80 to $170 that I saw......
Check the website for your existing (dead) colorimeter. You may be able to purchase that without having to pay for software, assuming the new puck is compatible.
Be careful buying older versions of software and/or colorimeters because they may not be compatible with your OS or there is no updated driver for your puck.
Case in point: I have a DTP-94 colorimeter (X-Rite) and legacy Monaco calibration software (no longer installed). While the DTP-94 driver is fine, there is no Win-7 64 bit update for the software, so, it's basically useless.
If you want to purchase an NEC monitor take a look at the MultiSync PA-series and the NEC SpectraView software and colorimeter. I already use SpectraView and an NEC-branded X-Rite colorimeter with my NEC P221W and it works nicely--basically it's hands-off once you start the process. You can purchase a NEC monitor/SpectraView calibration bundle to make things easy--check B&H. Going this route, you could save a lot of money because self-calibrating monitors are horrendously expensive, especially the Eizo. Take a look at the NEC PA272W or the NEC PA302W. They are 27" and 30", respectively.
Added: At B&H look for NEC PA272W-BK-SV. This is the monitor/SpectraView bundle. Current price is $1,339 with free shipping. Not bad.
Preston, by self calibrating I meant that they come with their own calibrating package, i.e, Spectraview with the NEC, and whatever Eizo calls theirs. I would like a 30" but I'm afraid that's probably out of my price range, plus Eizo only goes to 27". The specs between Eizo and NEC look identical, but one article I was reading mentioned some additional specs that gave Eizo the edget, but it costs more that NEC (but includes the hood, which is extra from NEC). I actually found a used NEC 27" (PA272W-BK-SV) for just a little over a $1000 (it was rated a 9 on a 10 scale), but I think I'm just too leary to purchase a used monitor. Thanks for your help.
Discussion
5 repliesDoes anyone know of a DECENT package without spending a lot of money? Thanks in advance.
Prices are anywhere from $80 to $170 that I saw......
Check the website for your existing (dead) colorimeter. You may be able to purchase that without having to pay for software, assuming the new puck is compatible.
Be careful buying older versions of software and/or colorimeters because they may not be compatible with your OS or there is no updated driver for your puck.
Case in point: I have a DTP-94 colorimeter (X-Rite) and legacy Monaco calibration software (no longer installed). While the DTP-94 driver is fine, there is no Win-7 64 bit update for the software, so, it's basically useless.
If you want to purchase an NEC monitor take a look at the MultiSync PA-series and the NEC SpectraView software and colorimeter. I already use SpectraView and an NEC-branded X-Rite colorimeter with my NEC P221W and it works nicely--basically it's hands-off once you start the process. You can purchase a NEC monitor/SpectraView calibration bundle to make things easy--check B&H. Going this route, you could save a lot of money because self-calibrating monitors are horrendously expensive, especially the Eizo. Take a look at the NEC PA272W or the NEC PA302W. They are 27" and 30", respectively.
Added: At B&H look for NEC PA272W-BK-SV. This is the monitor/SpectraView bundle. Current price is $1,339 with free shipping. Not bad.
I hope this helps.
--P
Preston, by self calibrating I meant that they come with their own calibrating package, i.e, Spectraview with the NEC, and whatever Eizo calls theirs. I would like a 30" but I'm afraid that's probably out of my price range, plus Eizo only goes to 27". The specs between Eizo and NEC look identical, but one article I was reading mentioned some additional specs that gave Eizo the edget, but it costs more that NEC (but includes the hood, which is extra from NEC). I actually found a used NEC 27" (PA272W-BK-SV) for just a little over a $1000 (it was rated a 9 on a 10 scale), but I think I'm just too leary to purchase a used monitor. Thanks for your help.